Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 people assigned female at birth, yet the average diagnosis takes 7 to 10 years. yet it remains one of the most misunderstood, underfunded, and mistreated diseases. Too many people with endo suffer silently for years, misdiagnosed, dismissed, or given treatments that do more harm than good.

Why? Because endometriosis is still widely misunderstood, even in the medical community.

Endometriosis is not just a reproductive issue or a “bad period.” It’s a systemic, full-body inflammatory disease that can affect the bowels, bladder, kidneys, lungs, and even the brain. Yet many gynecologists are only trained to treat it as a hormonal or menstrual condition. This outdated understanding leads to:

• Failed surgeries
• Recurring or worsening symptoms
• Patients being told it’s “all in their head”
• Emotional and financial devastation

Instead of access to proper treatment, patients are often pushed toward:

• Ineffective ablation surgeries with high recurrence rates
• Hormonal suppression that does not remove the disease
• Lifelong pain management without addressing the root cause

Excision surgery by an expert is the gold standard of care, proven to provide long-term relief, preserve fertility, and reduce repeated surgeries. Yet insurance companies often deny coverage for excision and specialist consultations, forcing patients to pay out of pocket or go without care.

We also need Pelvic floor physical therapy to be covered by insurance a medically necessary treatment for pelvic pain, bladder dysfunction, and painful sex. Pelvic floor therapy is often treated as “elective” and denied coverage, despite being essential for endo patients.

Meanwhile, outdated medical education and a 17-year lag between research and practice leave too many doctors unprepared to properly diagnose and treat endometriosis. Nearly 63% of general practitioners feel uncomfortable diagnosing endo, while many remain unfamiliar with its main symptoms.

We Are Demanding:

• Mandatory insurance coverage for excision surgery and consultations with endometriosis specialists.
• Coverage for pelvic floor therapy as a recognized and essential part of endometriosis care.
• Increased access to properly trained endometriosis specialists, especially in regions like the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) and across the U.S.
• Reform in medical education, requiring gynecologists to be trained in understanding endometriosis as a systemic inflammatory disease, not just a reproductive condition.
• Recognition of endometriosis as a disability, to ensure workplace protections and disability support for those severely impacted.

What You Can Do After Signing:

Call or email your state and federal senators. Tell them you support increased funding for endometriosis research, better provider training, and mandatory insurance coverage for excision and pelvic floor therapy.
Contact your insurance provider. Ask why excision and pelvic floor therapy aren’t covered. Demand transparency and better policies.
Share your story. Post on social media or send to healthcare committees. Real stories fuel change.

📢 Sign and share this petition to demand change. Together, we can push for recognition, access, and respect for all endo warriors.